Adjustable folding chair

ABSTRACT

Folding chair adjustable for different sitting-rocking and reclining positions comprising two generally rectangular frames coupled by links for relative scissor-like rocking movement and folding, a flexible web seat, with means for easily removing and changing the length thereof and an adjustable frame-positioning strap interconnecting the frame legs, the frames and links being spaced by laterally offset members to prevent pinching of the user&#39;&#39;s hands during relative movement of the frames and links.

United States Patent 1191 Raver July 9, 1974 [54] ADJUSTABLE FOLDING CHAIR FOREIGNPATENTS OR APPLICATIONS lnventori Jack Raver, 2400 Sedgwick 18,117 0/1906 Great Britain 297/18 New York, NY. 10468 Filed: June 14, 1972 Appl. No.: 262,795

US. Cl. 297/l8, 297/25 Int. Cl. A47c 4/00 Field of Search; 297/18, 24, 25

References Cited UNlTED STATES PATENTS 9/1890 Shaw. 9/1928 Fletcher... 5/1941 Long 2/1951 Bell 4/1956 12/1963 Roberts Raver Primary Examiner-Francis K. Zugel Attorney, Agent, or FirmOrin R. Severn [57] ABSTRACT Folding chair adjustable for different sitting-rocking and reclining positions comprising two generally rectangular frames coupled by links for relative scissorlike rocking movement and folding, a flexible web seat, with means for easily removing and changing the length thereof and an adjustable frame-positioning strap interconnecting the frame legs, the frames and links being spaced by laterally offset members to prevent pinching of the users hands during relative movement of the frames and links.

3 Claims, 6 Drawing Figures PATENTEDJUL 91m SHEET 2 BF 2 FIG. 3

FIG. 4

BACKGROUND OF TI-IE'INVENTION Combined folding and rocking chairs have been proposed wherein the chair is adjustable to different attitudes for sitting or reclining, and rocking, as desired. A typical example of the prior art is my US Pat. No. 3,112,953 for Folding and Adjustable Rocking Chair.

In general, such chairs are complex and expensive,

andhave awkward and sometimes dangerous moving SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION In accordance with the invention, a folding rocking chair of the general character described in my U.S. Pat. No. 3,112,953 above, having pivoted links interconnecting two main relatively movable frames, is provided with offset means at link pivots for laterally spacing a respective link from each of the main frames, etc., thereby materially spacing the side members of each frame from connecting links and the adjacent frame members and preventing pinching of the 'users hands there-between. The main frames at the feetthereof are also interconnected by an adjustable strap, the effective length of which is variable for adjusting the angular position of the frames thereby and determining the sit ting or reclining chair attitude;

A principal object therefore of the present invention is an improved folding chair of the rocking type wherein the user is not subject in ordinary use of the chair to hand injury due to pinching between the chairs relatively movable link and frame'members.

Another object of the invention is animproved folding chair of thecharacterabove, wherein predetermined angular adjustment of the main frame ,is

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a side view of the chair embodying the present' invention adjusted to sitting position; 1

FIG. 2 is a top plan view of the chairv of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is an elevational rear view of the chair above;

FIG. 4 is a plan view of the chair taken from beneath;

FIG. 5 is a partial view in perspective of the offset interconnections between the interconnecting links and main frames of the chair, and

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of a modification detail" applicable to chair frames composed of tubular rods.

DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENT The chair of the invention, FIG. 1, comprises essentially a pair of generally rectangular frames 1 and 2 n0rmally transversely positioned, one within the other. The inner frame 2 is shorter than frame 1, and as shown in FIG. 2, is materially narrower so as to fit freely within the outer or major frame. The upper transverse end bars la and 2a of the respective frames are connected by a sheet of suitable fabric or flexible material S to form the seat, FIGS. 1 and 2. Neartheir lower ends, the frames are completed by transverse struts lb and 2b respectively.

The adjacent side members of the two frames, lc, 2c and 1d, 2d are interconnected respectively, by links 3 that are pivoted as hereinafter described to the frames at 3a and 3b. Accordingly, the frames are restrained in relative angular scissor-like movement in the manner of US. Pat. No. 3,112,953 above.

The chair attitude adjusting and holding means consists of a flexible strap 4 that interconnects the lower comer ends of the frames, FIGS. 2 and 4. The two fixed ends of the strap are suitably anchored to the front or lower ends of the major frame sidemembers at points 1e. From those points, the strap portions extend rearwardly to the lower ends of the inner or minor frame side members, FIG. 4, and through slotted guide members 2e hereinafter described. The strap portions are coupled by means of a suitable clamp or adjusting buckle, 4a, such for example as used for automobile safety belts, etc. Variation in length of the frameconnecting strap by buckle adjustment, changes the angular relationship of the frames and thereby adjusts the chair attitude or sitting posture, etc. The strap also allows folding of the frames without strap adjustment or uncoupling to substantially co-planar position for storage, easy portability and compactness.

This feature provides a sort of memory" for chair adjustment; that is, assuming the user after adjusting the chair to a preferred position, folds and stores it for a time. When he again uses the chair, he need not make several experimental adjustments to attain the former preferred position as the strap will already be adjusted to it. This is a time-saving convenience. .As the chair is limited at its lowest (reclining) position by the total length of the strap, any possible slippage tending to'cause belt separation and collapse of the chair is precluded by an enlargement, fold, etc. at the held-end of the strap so that it cannot slide through the usual buckle slot.

Arm rests 5 at each side of the chair are hinged as shown in FIG. 1 at the rear end at 5a to a corresponding side member of the' outer frame; at the front end they are pivoted at 512 to the upper end of link 6. This link at its lower end is joined through a common pivotal axis at 3b with the link 3 and corresponding side member of inner frame 2. The arm rests which have an angle crosssection as described below, can therefore fold and conform to the angular position of the frames in both adjustment and folding thereof.

The chair iseasily folded by lifting the minor frame end 2a upward and toward the top la of the major frame, i.e. by rotating the frame 2 counterclockwise as viewed in FIG. 1 while holding the top of the major frame. Thus, the belt simply acquires slack and its length adjustment is not disturbed. This is in contrast tosome prior art designs wherein the minor frame is moved downward upon release of frame-coupling means and readjustment of the chair angle is required.

As mentioned above, in conventional usage the normal scissor-like relative movement of the major and minor frames, together with the folding movements of a connecting linkage, such as 3-6-5, often created in prior designs a safety hazard (pinching) when the chair users hands were placed at a traverse point between the frame side members, connecting links, etc. This was especially true when the frames were subject to the inertia of the full weight of the user (as in rocking or changing position) and the users fingers were caught in the closing shears" of frame and link members. For example, it will be apparent that if the users hand as he leaned forward, were placed on the side member of a minor frame (positioned as indicated in FIG. 1) near its traverse point with the adjacent frame side member, the resulting closing movement of the frame linkage at the traverse would cause pinching and possibly severe injury of his hand.

According to the present invention the hazard described above is for all practical purposes avoided primarily by providing lateral off-set extensions or spacing members for the links that interconnect the frames, especially where the links are pivoted to the inside frame. This is clearly shown in FIGS. 3 and wherein each link 3 has at its forward end off-set cylinder-like spacers or bosses, 3c and 3d extending laterally from opposite sides of the link to form a T. The boss 30 spaces the link 3 from the adjacent inside frame member 2c, and the boss 3d spaces the link 3 from the arm rest link 6. The link 3 at its rearward end is also provided with a lateral boss 3e at its pivot with the outside frame member 10. The width of a boss is preferably equal to or slightly greater than that of an average finger knuckle in order to avoid a pinching injury referred to above.

Thus, the link 3, and the inner and outer frame members 2c and 1c are sufficiently spaced, as are links 3 and 6, for safe use of the chair. It will be noted that this spacing is cumulative and that the inner and outer Another safety feature of the invention resides in the shielded pivots of the arm rest, FIGS. 1, 2 and 5, tending to avoid pinching at those points. As shown in FIGS. 2 and 5 the rear end of each arm rest is bifurcated at 50 for straddling the outer frame member. A hinge at 50 connects the underside of the arm rest to the outer frame member as indicated in FIG. 1 to permit folding the arm rest. Opposite the hinge, the arm rest is contoured to form depending flanges 5d, thereby preventing pinching at that point of folding. The front end of the arm rest is likewise contoured to form depending flanges Se that extend downward a material distance along the sides of the arm rest link 6, FIG. 5, thereby shielding the pivot 5b and minimizing danger of pinching between the arm rest and its supporting link. The arm rest preferably has a cross-section as indicated in the form of an inverted U-channel, wherein the side flanges extend longitudinally along the arm rest and are contoured as desired; or it may be in the more economical form of an angle the flange being on the outer side of the chair. Thus, it is seen that the underside of the arm rest is reduced in thickness rearwardly of pivot 5b to provide clearance for nesting of link 6 when the chair is folded.

In brief, the conventional exposed pivot between angularly movable frame and link members, especially where the members are lap-connected, is avoided in the invention by the use of the contoured flanges that tend to shield the pivotal areas where pinching is most likely.

In the disclosed embodiment of the invention, the chair frames, arm rests, etc. are preferably made of wood for improved appearance; however, metal tubular construction can be used in lieu of wood where suitable. In this case, referring to FIG. 6 wherein tubular frame members are indicated, the metal tube ends for supporting the chair weight are provided with adapters generally indicated at 6, for making substantially planar contact with the floor. The adapters for each leg can conveniently be of similar construction and comprise a rigid steel plate 7 having an offset portion 8 extending horizontally at a right angle to the plate. The plate is securely pivoted at 9 to the tubular frame leg member 10 so that the portion 8 serves as a selfadjusting flat footpad for the leg. The plate also includes a lateral extension that is slotted at 11 for receiving the adjusting strap 4 described above. This corresponds to the slotted guide 2e of FIG. 4. Thus, the adapters 6 serve both as feet for the chair frames, and as anchors and guides for the attitude adjusting strap. Obviously, the adapters can also be used as required for wood chairs, referring to FIG. 4.

It should be understood that this invention is not limited to specific details of construction and arrangement thereof herein illustrated and that changes and modifications may occur to one skilled in the art without departing from the spirit of the invention set forth in the following claims.

What is claimed is:

l. A folding, rocking and reclining chair comprising:

a. a pair of complimentary generally rectangular frames, one of which is positioned within the other for relative scissor-like angular movement, the frames being connected by a sheet of flexible material to form a seat, and having means restraining the lower ends of the frames,

b. a link pivotally interconnecting adjacent frames sides respectively, at each side of the chair for guiding the frames in said angular movement, and

c. said link at its end connecting with the outside frame including offset boss-like structure for laterally spacing said link and frame, the link at its opposite end having lateral spacing bosses to form therewith a T, and an arm rest including a support interconnecting the frames, the T bosses interconnecting respectively the arm rest support and inner frame such that risk of pinching therebetween of the chair occupants hands is minimized incident to said angular movement and the arm rest at its opposite ends having pivotal connection respectively, with the support and the outer frame, and having depending side flanges at opposite sides thereof extending longitudinally along the arm rest for laterally shielding said pivotal connections.

2. A folding, rocking and reclining chair comprising:

a. a pair of complimentary generally rectangular frames, one of which is positioned within the other for relative scissor-like angular movement, the frames being connected by a sheet of flexible material to form a seat,

b. a link pivotally interconnecting adjacent frames said link at its end connecting with the outside frame including offset boss-like structure for laterally spacing said link and frame, the link at its opposite end having lateral spacing bosses to form therewith a T," and an arm rest including a sup: port interconnecting the frames, the T bosses interconnecting respectively the arm rest support and inner frame such that risk of pinching therebetween of the chair occupants hands is minimized incident to said angular movement, the lower ends of the frames being restrained by a flexible strap for adjusting and limiting angular expansion of the frames, the strap terminals respectively, being anchored on the front ends of the outer frame and the corresponding strap sections extending therefrom through guide loops on the rear ends of the inner frame and joined by means for adjusting the strap length.

3. A folding, rocking and reclining chair comprising:

a. a pair of complimentary generally rectangular frames, one of which is positioned within the other for relative scissor-like angular movement, the frames being connected by a sheet of flexible material to form a seat,

b. a link pivotally interconnecting adjacent frame sides respectively, at each side of the chair for guiding the frames in said angular movement, and the lower ends of the frames being restrained by flexible strap connections for adjusting and limiting angular expansion of the frames, said strap connections being normally in tension and acquiring slack when the chair is folded, whereby the strap adjust ment remains the same for subsequent chair use, and a strap anchoring and guiding member mounted on each frame leg comprising a metal plate having an offset pad for making planar floor contact at the foot of the respective frame leg, and having a slot for receiving the strap, and

c. the pivotal connection between said link and adjacent side of one frame including offset boss-like structure for laterally spacing said link and frame side such that risk of pinching therebetween of the chair occupants hands is minimized incident to said angular movement. 

1. A folding, rocking and reclining chair comprising: a. a pair of complimentary generally rectangular frames, one of which is positioned within the other for relative scissor-like angular movement, the frames being connected by a sheet of flexible material to form a seat, and having means restraining the lower ends of the frames, b. a link pivotally interconnecting adjacent frames sides respectively, at each side of the chair for guiding the frames in said angular movement, and c. said link at its end connecting with the outside frame including offset boss-like structure for laterally spacing said link and frame, the link at its opposite end having lateral spacing bosses to form therewith a ''''T,'''' and an arm rest including a support interconnecting the frames, the T bosses interconnecting respectively the arm rest support and inner frame such that risk of pinching therebetween of the chair occupant''s hands is minimized incident to said angular movement and the arm rest at its opposite ends having pivotal connection respectively, with the support and the outer frame, and having depending side flanges at opposite sides thereof extending longitudinally along the arm rest for laterally shielding said pivotal connections.
 2. A folding, rocking and reclining chair comprising: a. a pair of complimentary generally rectangular frames, one of which is positioned within the other for relative scissor-like angular movement, the frames being connected by a sheet of flexible material to form a seat, b. a link pivotally interconnecting adjacent frames sides respectively, at each side of the chair for guiding the frames in said angular movement, and c. said link at its end connecting with the outside frame including offset boss-like structure for laterally spacing said link and frame, the link at its opposite end having lateral spacing bosses to form therewith a ''''T,'''' and an arm rest including a support interconnecting the frames, the T bosses interconnecting respectively the arm rest support and inner frame such that risk of pinching therebetween of the chair occupant''s hands is minimized incident to said angular movement, the lower ends of the frames being restrained by a flexible strap for adjusting and limiting angular expansion of the frames, the strap terminals respectively, being anchored on the front ends of the outer frame and the corresponding strap sections extending therefrom through guide loops on the rear ends of the inner frame and joined by means for adjusting the strap length.
 3. A folding, rocking and reclining chair comprising: a. a pair of complimentary generally rectangular frames, one of which is positioned within the other for relative scissor-like angular movement, the frames being connected by a sheet of flexible material to form a seat, b. a link pivotally interconnecting adjacent frame sides respectively, at each side of the chair for guiding the frames in said angular movement, and the lower ends of the frames being restrained by flexible strap connections for adjusting and limiting angular expansion of the frames, said strap connections being normally in tension and acquiring slack when the chair is folded, whereby the strap adjustment remains the same for subsequent chair use, and a strap anchoring and guiding member mounted on each frame leg comprising a metal plate having an offset pad for making planar floor contact at the foot of the respective frame leg, and having a slot for receiving the strap, and c. the pivotal connection between said link and adjacent side of one frame including offset boss-like structure for laterally spacing said link and frame side such that risk of pinching therebetween of the chair occupant''s hands is minimized incident to said angular movement. 